Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves

BIOLOGICAL

1

For three successive years, a trend has been observed in the rate of encounters with the emblematic species (dama gazelle, dorcas gazelle and Barbary sheep) with indirect and/or direct indications of presence.

Improving trends in the abundance of viable populations of flagship species, notably the dama gazelle, dorcas gazelle and Barbary sheep, which represent the attributes of the criterion (x), is an essential element of the desired state of conservation of the property.

Data collection using the KAI method combined with the use of photographic cameras and observations of indirect indications of presence (droppings, urine, footprints, etc.).

- Ecological monitoring mission reports;

- Reports on the interpretation and analysis of photos taken by the cameras installed within the property;

- Various other technical activity reports (Annual Report).

2

Poaching indices for key wildlife species, notably the dama gazelle, dorcas gazelle and Barbary sheep, have shown a downward trend for at least three consecutive years.

Poaching is the main threat to emblematic wildlife species in the property. The downward trend in poaching indices is therefore essential to the achievement of the desired state of conservation of the property.

Regular patrols of the property, particularly in the refuge habitats of the property’s emblematic species and at sales outlets. Fixed and mobile checkpoints on the main traffic routes within and around the property.

- Anti-poaching patrol (LAB) mission reports;

- Mobile and fixed checkpoint reports;

- Quarterly or annual technical reports.

3

An increasing area of the property’s plant habitat has been restored using native species for at least three consecutive years.

In this desert zone, the plant habitat is proposed as an indicator of the desired state of conservation, as it is essentially made up of local plant species (woody and herbaceous), particularly Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia raddiana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Maerua crassifolia, Calotropis procera, Panicum turgidum and Stipagrostis vulnerans, etc. These species represent the attributes of the criterion (x) and contribute to maintaining plant diversity, including the abundance and distribution of emblematic species within the property.

- Setting up habitat points (or observation surveys) covering one (1) ha, placed according to the direction of ecological monitoring;

- Annual drone surveys to observe and collect data on vegetation and the environment;

- Remote sensing image analysis techniques will be applied to characterize the different habitat types.

- Vegetation monitoring reports produced during the various ecological monitoring missions;

- Reports on drone surveys to collect landscape data;

- Land use and occupancy maps showing the proportions of the habitats.

INTEGRITY

4

Logging of native/local species has been continuously reduced on the property for three consecutive years.

Exotic species such as Prosopis juliflora are now used for carbonization and are authorized to be cut for commercial and private use in certain areas around the property.

Similarly, preserving the plant habitat made up of local species is a guarantee for the gradual return/repopulation of the emblematic fauna of the property and its long-term conservation.

- Inspection missions at forestry posts on roads;

- Inspection mission to check coal mining authorization receipts issued by all Departmental Directorates for the Environment and the Fight against Desertification

- Inspection mission reports;

- Registers and receipt counterfoils available;

5

In 2027, the presence of domestic animals (dromedaries, goats, donkeys) for grazing purposes does not affect the refuge habitats and remains prohibited in the central part, which represents around 12% of the total area of the property.

Besides its biodiversity, RNAT is also well known for its pastoral potential. In this respect, it was pointed out in the RNAT evaluation report that throughout the reserve, with the exception of the core area representing 12% of the surface area of the property, there was strong pressure from domestic animals (dromedaries, goats, donkeys) searching for grazing land. It is therefore important to limit grazing pressure outside refuge habitats and the core zone in order to achieve the desired state of conservation of the property.

Issue regulations to limit the roaming of domestic animals in certain key habitats for the conservation of biodiversity within the RNAT property;

To inform, train and raise awareness among local communities living within and around the property of the need for responsible pastoralism that respects the environment and conserves biodiversity.

- Regulatory acts issued;

- Reports of information, training and awareness-raising missions to local communities within the RNAT property;

- Ecological monitoring mission report;

- Surveillance patrol reports;

- Consideration of pastoralism when updating the participatory management plan for the property.

6

Artisanal gold mining within the property is reduced by at least 75% and remains prohibited in the central part and refuge habitats of the property within 3 years.

Artisanal gold panning and its associated problems (mercury pollution and poaching) within the property constitute threats to the integrity of the property and controlling or eradicating them will contribute to achieving the desired state of conservation of the property.

- Surveillance patrols;

- Offenders brought before the courts;

- Destruction of gold-panning sites;

- Patrol reports

- Minutes of hearings

- Aerial/satellite photographs

7

At least two thirds of the refuge habitats for the conservation of emblematic wildlife species and the values of the property as well as the central part of the property are under the authorities’ permanent control within 3 years.

Criterion (ix), The property contains a great diversity of habitats (living dunes, fixed dunes, sandy ergs and regs, valleys, cliffs, canyons, summit plateaux, gueltas, etc.) necessary for the conservation of Saharan-Sahelian biological diversity.

Certain key habitats act as refuge areas for the property’s emblematic wildlife species, helping to preserve exceptional ecological and biological processes.

Setting up a protection and monitoring system for the property at its three (3) priority sites.

- Protection and surveillance mission reports.
The indicators are:

- Patrol efforts (surface areas and key zones combed);

- Number of mission days carried out;
- Number of persons per day (P/d) mobilized;

- Number of offenders apprehended,

- Number of tickets issued, etc.

PROTECTION & MANAGEMENT

8

Presence of a management body with a functional monitoring system and adequate material, human and financial resources in quantitative and qualitative terms, including community workers living in the vicinity of the property.

Since 2015, the Property has had a Management Unit that provides management, protection and monitoring in line with the recommendations of the 2015 IUCN reactive monitoring mission.

Identification and appointment of valley chiefs, eco-guards and community workers to support the management unit in monitoring and conserving the property.

Acts of appointment and assignment of the executives and agents of the Property’s Management Unit.
These stakeholders were identified and designated at a general meeting on the basis of their commitment to conserving the property’s natural resources and their leadership.

- Orders and decisions assigning the executives and agents of the Property Management Unit;

- Designation certificates endorsed by the Director General of Water and Forests.

- Surveillance patrol efforts

- Numbers of community workers involved in monitoring the property.

9

Availability of an updated participatory management plan (after 2024) that has been adequately implemented and resourced for at least three consecutive years.

Recommendations from the various World Heritage sessions and the last IUCN reactive monitoring mission in 2015.

Update of the Management Plan (2022–2024) adopted according to the participatory approach with certain administrative and customary authorities.

- Report on the workshop to validate the updated Management Plan

- Updated management plan.

- Report on implementation of the updated management plan.

10

Adequate and functional ecological monitoring system covering at least all the refuge habitats of emblematic wildlife species and the central zone of the property for at least 3 consecutive years, enabling the key attributes of the property’s outstanding universal value to be preserved over the long term.

Recommendations from the various World Heritage sessions.

Existence of a protocol for collecting, analysing and interpreting data on biodiversity and the various pressures and threats.

- Existence of an ecological monitoring protocol;

- Ecological monitoring mission reports;

- Annual activity reports.